Fans of the long running sitcom “Mom” are devastated today after it was revealed that actress Mary Pat Gleason has passed away. She was 70 years-old.
A source close to Gleason confirmed her death to Fox News, saying that the star died on Tuesday night after being in hospice for the last few months.
“She was fighting for her life the last two months,” the source said. “And she was just incredible the entire time — just cracking jokes and trying to worry more about everybody else feeling comfortable than her own pain level. She was an amazing woman and she had battled cancer.”
Though the specific cancer Gleason had has not been disclosed, the source said her nephew had “been by her bedside up until the [coronavirus] pandemic began and then, of course, he wasn’t allowed to enter the hospital.”
Gleason was a character actress who will be best remembered for playing Mary, an AA member, on the hilarious CBS comedy show “Mom.” Her co-star Mimi Kennedy paid tribute to her on Instagram after news of her death broke.
“I’m saddened to learn that Mary Pat Gleason (Mary on @mom_cbs) passed away,” Kennedy captioned a photo of Gleason. “From her nephew, ‘Her curtain closed at 10:20 Tuesday evening.’ I’m sure she was met with thunderous applause and a great party backstage. My love to you Mary and to your loved ones.”
George Reeves, who starred with Gleason in “Pencil Town,” also took to social media to honor her memory.
“Last night I was saddened to hear about the passing of my colleague and friend Mary Pat Gleason. I had the honor of working with Mary Pat in Pencil Town last year,” he said. “It was truly an honor to be in her presence. Thank You for the conversations and the words of encouragement. #RIP.”
Last night I was saddened to hear about the passing of my colleague and friend Mary Pat Gleason. I had the honor of working with Mary Pat in “Pencil Town” last year. It was truly an honor to be in her presence. Thank You for the conversations and the words of encouragement. #RIP pic.twitter.com/lh8CQbdbUi
— George Steeves (@georgefsteeves) June 3, 2020
Gleason had a lengthy career in Hollywood in which she garnered over 170 credits in film and television, according to her IMDB page. Born in Minnesota in 1950, Gleason also had a Daytime Emmy for her work as part of the writing team for “The Guiding Light.”
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